JJ Dance wraps up 2018 season with successful showing at national competition

It was a great way to cap off a great season. The entire JJ Dance Performing Arts Studio competitive team recently travelled to Collingwood’s Blue Mountain Resort for the end-of-season LUV 2 Dance National Competition for a week-long schedule of dance and fun.

The team’s first day of competition on July 10 was by far the busiest, said dance instructor, Allison Purchase-Dalziel, with the studio presenting 21 of their 38 routines that day. Dancers who scored 96 per cent or higher were recognized for their results. The following JJ Dance routines were recognized: Bring It (Noah Banks), Fierce (Briar Summers-Arndt and Emma Harvey), We Dem Boys (Willie D and Noah B), Tight Pants (Maiya Nadrofsky, Shea Cooper and Emma Harvey), Workin’ in a Coalmine (Junior Tap), and Shake the Room (Junior Jazz).

With the first day of competition under their dance shoes, the second day brought 14 routines to the stage. “The results were just as outstanding as day one,” said studio owner Jennifer Johns-Main. Black Magic (Mini Petite Jazz), Boombaya (Cali Turnbull), Respect (Bella Main), Willkommen (Briar Summers-Arndt) and Maria (Intermediate Jazz) all earned top scores of greater than 96 per cent.

After such a dance-filled two days, the JJ Dance team enjoyed a day off to rest and enjoy the festivities in the Collingwood and Blue Mountain. Dancers, coaches, family and friends participated in team-building activities including Tree Top Trekking, the Ridge Runner Coaster, Zip Lining and The Plunge Water Park. Lots of smiles and laughter had by all!

The team’s second last day of the competition was one of the most successful for routine scores with dancers achieving the two highest scores of the week: Disney Remix (Team Production) with 96.86 per cent and Smooth (Team Acro) with 96.89 per cent.

An awards gala was held following the final day of competition on July 14, after the final day of competition. “The gala was definitely a highlight for everyone,” said Purchase-Dalziel. “After receiving invitations to the Elite National Dance Team, Kaitlyn Wright, Emma McClellan, Darian Adams and Cali Turnbull spent more than two hours each day learning choreography and rehearsing, which culminated in an amazing performance at the gala.”

Melissa Litrenta, Allison Purchase-Dalziel and Jennifer Johns-Main all received choreography awards and 10 of the JJ Dance Team’s routines took home Top Honours SHOWDOWN trophies in their categories:

• Bella Main – Open Solo – 1st place
• Full Company Production – ‘Disney Remix’ – 1st place
• Petite Jazz Group – ‘Black Magic’ – 1st place
• Cali Turnbull – Hip Hop Solo – 2nd place
• Hip Hop Duet – ‘We dem Boyz’ – 2nd place
• Junior Tap Group – ‘Workin’ in a Coal Mine’ – 2nd place
• Petite Tap Group – ‘Crocodile Rock’ – 2nd place
• Musical Theatre Trio – ‘Tight Pants’ – 1st place
• Noah Banks – Hip Hop Solo – 3rd place
• Junior Jazz Group – ‘Shake the Room’ – 3rd place

JJ Dance Performing Arts Studio wants to congratulate all of the dancers who worked hard and participated in Nationals this season. The 2018 competitive dance season has come to an end, added Johns-Main, but “they’re not taking a break—the dancers will be attending camps, conventions, workshops and shows all summer long.”

Don’t miss out on Doppler! Sign up for our free newsletter here.